How to Say "Tree Roots" in Mandarin

树根

The English phrase "tree roots" is translated into Mandarin as 树根.

When speaking, you may also encounter the informal forms 树根子 and 树根儿.

What does it mean word for word?

The word 树根 is a compound of 树 (shù), meaning 'tree' and 根 (gēn), meaning 'root'.

The term 树根 is a mass noun and does not change its form to indicate plurality.

The phrase 根深蒂固 (gēn shēn dì gù), which literally means 'deep roots and firm base', is a common idiom used to describe a habit or belief that is impossible to change.
In traditional Chinese medicine, the 'root' of a plant is often viewed as the storehouse of its 'qi'. Consequently, talking about 树根 in a health context often implies potency or concentrated energy.
The character 根 is a phono-semantic compound, meaning part of the character provides the meaning of 'root' while the other part suggests how to pronounce it.

树根扎得又深又宽。
The tree roots are spreading wide and deep.
走路要注意，别被树根绊倒。
Be careful not to trip over the tree roots.
请确保树的根部周围保持良好状态。
Please ensure the area around the tree roots is well-maintained.
咱们坐在靠树根儿的草地上吧。
Let's sit on the grass near the tree roots.
这些树根非常粗壮。
Zhèxiē shùgēn fēicháng cūzhuàng.
These tree roots are very thick and strong.
树根在土壤里生长。
Shùgēn zài tǔrǎng lǐ shēngzhǎng.
The tree roots grow in the soil.

Two friends are hiking in a forest.

欣怡 Xinyi

你看，那里的树根露出来了。
Nǐ kàn, nàlǐ de shùgēn lù chūlái le.
Look, the tree roots are exposed over there.
伟 Wei

走路要小心，别被树根绊倒。
Zǒulù yào xiǎoxīn, bié bèi shùgēn bàndǎo.
Watch your step, don't trip over the tree roots.
欣怡 Xinyi

伟，这里的路真不好走。
Wěi, zhèlǐ de lù zhēn bù hǎozǒu.
Wei, the path here is really hard to walk on.
伟 Wei

我们慢慢走吧。
Wǒmen mànman zǒu ba.
Let's walk slowly.

Sources

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